Moruca Expo 2018 attracts hundreds
DPI, Guyana, Sunday, August 26, 2018
The quiet village of Santa Rosa came alive as it hosted the fifteenth annual Moruca Expo.
The exhibition is aimed at showcasing “the talents and skills” of residents in the Barima-Waini subregion, Moruca. In addition, government agencies such as Go Invest, the Ministry of Business, the Department of Public Information (DPI) and the Essequibo Technical Institute had booths set up as well. The two-day affair saw patrons from the Indigenous communities as well as Guyanese from as far as Berbice and overseas tourists arriving by land and river to participate.
Moruca Expo 2018 commenced on Friday evening with boxing displays, football and a Gospel concert. Patrons were treated to local musical talent as well as view exhilarating football matches between local teams.
On Saturday, the exposition was formally declared open by the Moruca Expo Chairperson, Lucy Wilson.
Speaking to the DPI, Regional Chairman, Barima-Waini, Brentnol Ashley expressed his satisfaction at seeing the booths filled with “craft and various indigenous games.” He added that this event brings “the cultures of various indigenous communities together.”
There were a number of craft items as well as Indigenous paintings on sale. Patrons also had the opportunity to sample Indigenous foods such as pepper-pot and cassava bread, and Fly, an indigenous alcoholic beverage.
Scores of patrons braved the intense Moruca heat and turned out to be a part of the events, which included, archery, swimming, eating competitions and the Miss Moruca 2018 pageant. The delegates of the Miss Moruca 2018 pageant got the ball rolling by participating in a speed walking race.
The day’s schedule was packed with events for the young and the old. Patrons participated in the “hot pot” competition, which requires participants to finish their plate of meat which was cooked in very hot pepper. There was also a ‘Fly drinking competition’.
The events lasted until late into the afternoon and set the stage for the highlight of the day, the Miss Moruca 2018 pageant. There were over five hundred persons present for the show where six beautiful delegates competed for the crown.
In the end, Delegate Number Two, Esther Wilson, who represented Santa Cruz, won the judges favour and was crowned Miss Moruca 2018.
Expo Chairperson, Lucy Wilson disclosed that plans are already afoot for next year’s exhibition. According to her, “it’s going to be exclusively run by the Moruca Expo Committee.”
By: Anara Khan
Images: Keno George